Surname Stankefwitz - Meaning and Origin
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Stankefwitz: What does the surname Stankefwitz mean?
The last name Stankefwitz is of Germanic origin, derived from the given name Stanke, which was a diminutive form of Stanislaw. Stanislaw is a Slavic given name derived from the words ‘stan’, meaning ‘stand’, and ‘slav’, denoting a ‘glory’ – together implying ‘glory of the stand’. As such, the last name implies a lineage of people of great standing and respect in their community, and is often given to those with a stoic and honourable character.
The meaning of the suffix ‘-ewitz’ is explained twofold – either a patronymic, denoting descent from the father of the respective Stanke; or a toponymic, suggesting a family hailing from the original place of Stanke. The latter is particularly common amongst German surnames, as families often adopted the name of their ancestral towns as part of their own familial line.
Altogether, the last name Stankefwitz implies a illustrious ancestory of great standing, and hints at generations that lived honourably and respected their roots, evidenced by the retention of the surname from place to place across the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisStankefwitz: Where does the name Stankefwitz come from?
The last name Stankefwitz is not commonly found today, as it is a rare name. It is most commonly found in Germany, as this is where the name originates. According to Ancestry.com, most people with this surname live in Germany, but there are also some living in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Austria, and Switzerland.
The name is derived from Middle High German stanke (stout) and witz (wise). Stankefwitz is an old name found in the archives of cities and towns, originally from the region around Tübingen in southern Germany. It is believed to have been created in the 16th century. The earliest records for the name are found in the archives of several cities in the Tübingen region beginning in the late 16th century. From there, the name spread to other parts of Germany, and eventually other parts of Europe and the world.
The surnames of Stankefwitz and Stankewitz are derivatives of the original form and are also found in other parts of Germany, Austria, and the United States. There is also a variant of the name, Stankefwald, recorded in Wisconsin in the early 1900s.
Despite its long history, the surname Stankefwitz remains a rare name. Many people with this surname have adopted other surnames, such as Goffrt, Ilgenfritz, and Kadinger, making the name even rarer. Today, this name is almost exclusively found in Germany and its surrounding countries, with very few people in the United States having it.
Variations of the surname Stankefwitz
The surname Stankefwitz is a patronymic surname that started out as a combination of the first name "Stanek" and the appendix "ewitz". The name is found in German, Polish, and Russian records.
Variants of the surname Stankefwitz include Stanekwitz, Stankewich, Stankewitz, Stankiewicz, Stankiewicz, Stankiewitz, Stankivich, Stankivits, and Stankovits.
The surname Stankefwitz is widespread throughout countries all over Europe. In Poland, spelling variants of the surname Stanekiewicz and Stankiewicz are very common. In Germany, variants such as Stanekwitz and Stankewich also can be found. Depending on the country, language, and dialect, the surname may have been spelled differently from records to records.
The surname Stankivich appears in Ukrainian documents as a variant of Stankefwitz, while in Russia, variants beginning with "Stankov" are found. In the former areas of the Habsburg Empire, variants such as Stankovits and Stankewitz are found.
All of the variants of Stankefwitz can be traced back to the same origins, as the surname has followed different waves of migration throughout Europe throughout the centuries.
Famous people with the name Stankefwitz
- Kurt Stankefwitz: a German actor who starred in films such as Die Fliege (The Fly) and Schwester Agnes (Sister Agnes).
- Henry Stankefwitz: an American professional wrestler better known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation, now known as the WWE.
- Erich Stankefwitz: a German novelist and political activist from the early 20th century.
- Eric Stankefwitz: a German composer who wrote works for themes like classic German folk songs and religious liturgy.
- Lutz Stankefwitz: a former German football player who played for clubs like the Berliner FC Dynamo and Greuther Fürth.
- Sven Stankefwitz: a German film director, known for award-winning short films and documentaries like Encounters and Living in World War II.
- Anne Stankefwitz: a French artist best known for her paintings depicting the human figure in its many shapes and forms.
- Katrin Stankefwitz: a German scientist and researcher with a specialty in behavior and neurobiology.
- Frank Stankefwitz: an American stand-up comedian and actor who made appearances on shows like The Tonight Show and select films.
- Hans-Jürgen Stankefwitz: a German professional cyclist who competed in events like the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana, among others.